Quick Summary

5-Day Community Hiking in Ethiopia's Green Gurage Zone is a 5 days tour in Ethiopia via the Wenchi Crater/ Lake Gurage (Area) route, starting from USD 1287. Below you'll find the latest itinerary, inclusions & exclusions, and how to book.

Duration
5 days

Route
Wenchi Crater/ Lake Gurage (Area)

From
USD 1287

Operator
Kitano Tours & Safaris

ABOUT 5-Day Community Hiking in Ethiopia's Green Gurage Zone

Discover the hidden green highlands west of Addis Ababa and enjoy easy hiking routes through the local Gurage villages while learning about their unique lifestyle, culture and food. A real adventure off the beaten track awaits you there, where the fields, forests and hills are green all year around. Besides the impressive nature, the Gurage people living in their small neat villages are one of the most hospitable of the whole country.

Duration: 5 days
Route: Wenchi Crater/ Lake Gurage (Area)
Starts at: USD 1287

Overview

Itinerary

include & exclude

Highlights for 5-Day Community Hiking in Ethiopia's Green Gurage Zone

Day 1: Drive West to the extinct volcano Wenchi
Day 2: Continue westwards into the green Gurage highlands
Day 3: Full day hiking past waterfalls and local villages
Day 4: Last half day trek to reach the road and drive into the Rift Valley
Day 5: Relax on the Rift Valley lake and head back to Addis Ababa

Itinerary Overview

Day	Title
Day 01	Drive West to the extinct volcano Wenchi
Day 02	Continue westwards into the green Gurage highlands
Day 03	Full day hiking past waterfalls and local villages
Day 04	Last half day trek to reach the road and drive into the Rift Valley
Day 05	Relax on the Rift Valley lake and head back to Addis Ababa

Day 01: Drive West to the extinct volcano Wenchi

>> In the morning your driver meets you at your appointed place in Addis Ababa and you drive to Wenchi Crater Lake. Depending on the fitness and interest you can pick a route of one to five hours of hiking. Take this chance to decide with your local guide which hiking route is best for you as there are easy and flatter trails along the crater rim and more challenging and steeper ones down into the crater or even surrounding the lake. Locals provide also horses to do some parts on the horse back.
In case you decide for the longer hike, the route back to the car takes you through a breath-taking green valley with lots of water streams and hot springs.
After your visit your driver will bring you to Negash Resort in Wolisso for your overnight stay. The beautiful garden, the unique structure of rooms which represent most of the ethnicities and the indoor and outdoor hot spring swimming pools are good plus to enjoy the evening and night.

Time: 8-10Hrs
Meals: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Non-alcoholic drinks

Accommodation: Negash Resort Mid-range hotel located in Waliso (Town)

Day 02: Continue westwards into the green Gurage highlands

>> Driving from Woliso to Gurage will take you about 2 hours. Through passing the towns Welkite and Gubrie we will drive up to the highland of Gurage. You'll start hiking in the beautiful and breath taking villages and landscape of Gurage. Our destination for today, after hiking 2 to 3 hours, is a campsite in a rural area close to a forest ad waterfall. In our campsite fresh and delicious dishes will be served as soon as you arrive. First night in the tent.

Time: 8-10Hrs
Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

Accommodation: Budget camping

Day 03: Full day hiking past waterfalls and local villages

>> After breakfast we hike further eastwards, witnessing closely the traditional way of life of the Gurage ethnic group. It's yet another spectacular journey for nature lover. The evergreen hills, the beautiful rivers, the traditional godjo houses in every village and the morning smile of Gurage people are all in one pack ahead of us. Upon arrival in our next host community, you'll have some time to relax, then have dinner and the second night in a tent at a local family's property.

Time: 8-10Hrs
Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

Accommodation: Budget camping

Day 04: Last half day trek to reach the road and drive into the Rift Valley

>> Today you will be crossing a green valley and climbing a few 100m uphill on the other side where the vehicle is waiting. Drive down into the Rift Valley to Ziway (2.5 hours). Then driving to Ziway will open another spectacular adventure in the Great African Rift Valley of Ethiopia. We have an option to explore the beauty of one of the lake in the valley during a relaxed walk along the newly built shore promenade.

Time: 8-10Hrs
Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks

Accommodation: Haile Resort Ziway Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ziway

Day 05: Relax on the Rift Valley lake and head back to Addis Ababa

>> Relax and rest in the morning after the hiking adventure. In the late morning, through a boat tour we will witness closely the diversified birdlife and spot some hippos. If you like, you can try some fresh fish for lunch and then return to Addis Ababa through the newly built express way (approx. 3 hours).